Board of Regents to Develop New Degree for
Technical Institute GraduatesBachelor of Applied Technical Science to Accept Transfer Credits

PIERREStudents, who have completed an Associate of Applied
Science degree at one of South Dakotas technical institutes, will soon be able to
earn a Bachelor of Applied Technical Science (BATS) degree at two of the state public
universities, according to action taken today by the South Dakota Board of Regents at its
regular business meeting in Pierre.

"Make no mistake. By the action we are taking here today, we may
be setting in motion a major change in postsecondary education in this state. In this
proposal lies the foundation for four locally controlled state funded community
colleges," said Regents President Harvey C. Jewett, IV, of Aberdeen. "I
dont know of any other way to say it. If its a duck, lets call it a
duck."

Regent Jack Rentschler of Sioux Falls commented, prior to the vote,
"Of all the decisions that I have made during the time that I have served on the
Board of Regents, this may be the most important for the structure of higher education in
this state. It may have the most far-reaching impact."

Nationally, the traditional degrees that allow course credit to be
transferred to a four-year college or university to apply toward a baccalaureate degree
are the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science. The Associate of Applied Science
(AAS) has been considered a non-transferable degree, but coursework may be transferable
through an articulation agreement or a review of course materials.

Regents Executive Director Robert T. Tad Perry said, "Review of
individual courses is time consuming for students and institutions, often controversial
with the public, and confusing for students who are not certain of what will transfer. So,
a number of states and institutions are developing new transfer degrees appropriate for
the AAS. The Regents will offer the BATS at South Dakota State University (SDSU) and at
Black Hills State University (BHSU)."

Regent James Hansen of Pierre said, "The BATS will respond to
employer demands for employees with both technical and organizational skills. Technical
institute graduates will be able to transfer into this degree. This may bolster
enrollments at both the technical institutes and at the two universities which will offer
the BATS."

The new degree will not affect the system-to-system general education
articulation agreements currently in place between the technical institutes and the
universities. It will not affect four program-to-program agreements that have been
approved between SDSU and Southeast Technical Institute and between the University of
South Dakota and Lake Area Technical Institute. It will nullify any course agreements that
have not been acted upon since July 1, 1998, when the Legislature mandated the
articulation of general education courses between the technical institutes and the
universities.

"The practical effect of this move is that any technical institute
graduate holding an AAS degree from one of South Dakotas technical institutes can
transfer the credits to a BATS degree at either SDSU or BHSU. These students will have to
meet Regental requirements such as passing the proficiency exam and other Board of Regents
policies that apply to transfer students," said Perry.

The Regents will act on implementation of the degree at their March
meeting in Aberdeen.